Alexa

March 17, 2012

Those of you who live in Michigan please go to this bill and then contact each one of the sponsors of this bill. If you know someone in Michigan please ask them to contact these sponsors. Let the sponsors know that we appreciate their support but now is the time to get movement on the bill. The sponsors need to present the bill via a legislative forum in the House and or the Senate Office Buildings. Also they need to pressure their Judiciary Committee colleagues to have a hearing or move the legislation to another committee or to the floor for a vote.

Both will be joining former Kent County judicial candidate Bryan Down, Esq. Attorney Bryan C. Downs has been a dedicated cyclist for the Equal Parenting Bike Trek in both 2008 and 2009. There are three confirmed cyclists for the 2010 Equal Parenting Bike Trek, with an additional select few who will be joining Robb, Robert and Bryan during the 700 + miles cycling trek for parental rights.

The 2010 Equal Parenting Bike Trek will be departing from Lansing Michigan and will pedal through both the Lower and Upper peninsulas of Michigan in support of a child's right to be loved, guided, nurtured and educated by both fit and willing parents.

Stay tuned for more information on this incredible equal parenting event!

May 19, 2009

House Joint Resolution 42 is gaining serious momentum with 92 Congressional co-sponsors and counting! Are you a parent? It doesn't matter if you are a mother or a father here in the United States because all parents will lose the ability to parent their children if the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is passed in the United States. "Convention on the Rights of the Child" sounds so innocent and something that all might be fooled to support. In reality this will strip your ability to parent your children and all in the United States must parent to the UN's demands.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is also a serious threat to our Second Amendment Rights of LEGAL gun ownership. Read this article by Michael P. Ferris, J.D.on how the UNCRC will impact the rights of private gun ownership in America. Gun Owners of America already is listed as a supporter of H.J. Res. 42, however sadly the NRA (National Rifle Association) is not currently listed as a supporter. NRA members contact the NRA now and demand their support of H.J. Res. 42.

If your U.S. Representative is not on the list, please call or email them and urge them to become a sponsor of the Parental Rights Amendment (H.J. Res. 42). Find your Representative and demand their support as a voter!

Please tell everyone you know about the Parental Rights Amendment and ask for their ACTIVE support.

Thank you Rep. Pete Hoekstra for showing leadership as lead sponsor of H.J. Res. 42. Rep. Hoekstra is now running for Governorin the State of Michigan and should receive your support from all in the state of Michigan.

April 14, 2009

Best Interests of the family courts budget? I would now like to continue with section (c), or the third "best interests of the child" criteria as defined in Michigan law. This reads: "the capacity and disposition of the parties involved to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care or other remedial care recognized and permitted under the laws of this state in place of medical care, and other material needs".

This basically comes down to whether a parent can provide the material things for his or her own child.....and this is the factor that is routinely handed to the custodial parent-AFTER they start receiving child support payments. It does NOT matter to your judge if the parent is employed, employable, or even is capable of actually taking care of the child(ren).

Another point arises here-exactly WHOM should be able to claim the child(ren) as dependent(s)-and whose dependents are they-it doesn't matter to the courts or to the government who actually PAYS for the actual support-it only matters to them WHO the child stays with OVERNIGHT-hence the reason that the courts keep the amount of time the child(ren) spend with the NCP to the barest minimum they can.

This is also where Social Security's Title IV-D comes in. You can run any good internet search engine and find a wealth of information on Title IV-D, but I will give you a brief and working summary of it.

Title IV-D was originally started as a Federal program to collect support funds from parents who had WILLFULLY and DELIBERATELY abandoned his or her children, and to help establish paternity of these abandoned children when necessary. Very noble-any parent who abandons his or her children should be tracked down, their wages garnished, and otherwise be treated as the fiend they are. This was implemented to recover the costs of placing the children/family on the old TANF program-TEMPORARY assistance.

HOWEVER....

Title IV-D has now been perverted, through the federal financial incentives, to include virtually ALL parents who divorce. A change in 1996, during the Clinton Administration, changed key wording from the "absent" parent to the "non-custodial" parent. This opened the door for the states, and their county court judges to make a parent the non-custodial, and rake in the federal grants and incentive bonuses from the feds.

Because of this greed, MILLIONS of parents, never on welfare rolls, have been forced from the lives of their child(ren) so their county and state can make a profit from that divorce and child custody fight.

Michigan alone collects MILLIONS of dollars yearly for this. The average yearly total for the states collectively-4.2 BILLION dollars, plus incentives worth another $428 MILLION in 2006 alone.

All of that, to reward the judges and other bureaucrats for removing a loving, capable, and fit parent from the lives of his or her children.

Of course, the NCP chosen is normally the one who can actually PAY the support-whomever has the larger paycheck is normally chosen. Yes, the number of mother NCP's is increasing, as the average salary of American women increases. The larger the support amounts, the more the states get in the financial incentives. The more divorcing parents they can indoctrinate into the system, the more they collect, and on, and on, and on.....

So, it matters not to the judges who can actually support the children after a divorce-their chosen and anointed one will be handed what (s)he needs, so factor (c) can be awarded to her (usually), just as in my personal case.

Continuing with the "best interests of the child" criteria in Michigan law, the second factor, or factor (b) reads: "the capacity and disposition of the parties involved to give the child love, affection, and guidance and to continue the education and raising of the child in his or her religion or creed, if any".

Capacity is defined as "the ability to perform or produce", while disposition is defined as "the power or ability to control, direct, dispose", or "one's usual mood temperament".

An average person would likely read this to mean that, in the parent under question, their usual "temperament" would be to show to their child love, affection, and give them proper guidance. Sounds good, doesn't it?

The problem is, attorneys and judges can twist this to their own liking. The average custody hearing lasts less than one hour of actual litigating and testimony. In that time, the judge will hear false accusations and misleading allegations mixed in with some of the truths. The attorneys and judges DON'T know you or your kids, and they don't want to. They want to rush you through the system, with the usual predetermined results. More on all of that yet to come.

Referring back to my personal matter-if anyone could have seen the looks on the faces of mydaughters, after their school musical, when they saw the blank, uninterested look on their mom's face. Her body language, and her words, expressed that she could not care less what, or how, they performed in the musical.

I believe that it is essential to promote a child's feeling of self-esteem, and build up their self-confidence. My daughters were literally bouncing off the walls and jumping for joy after their performance, and after my words of praise for them. Within seconds of being back with their mom, their feet shuffled, and the glee was gone.

The judge in our case figured my ex-wife, and myself, "equals" as far as factor (b) is concerned.

April 08, 2009

On to factor (h), "the home, school, and community record of the child". The only one of the three I have experienced personally so far is concerning my daughters' schooling.

A little over three years ago, I managed to wrangle a change in my scheduled hours of employment, and I immediately motioned for a "change of parenting time", to spend more time with my daughters. This was AFTER my oldest was held back, and repeated kindergarten.

The first hearing, in front of the court referee, resulted in HER REPRIMANDING ME FOR NOT BEING INVOVLED, AND MY DAUGHTER BEING HELD BACK. Now, keep in mind that it was THEIR ORDER that I NOT have enough time with my children to be involved and active enough with them to be able to effectively help with such things as homework and their education in general. This FEMALE referee is absolutely convinced that fathers are worthless, except as a source of money, and the mom alone should have complete and full control, regardless of the consequences.

Naturally I objected to her decision, and got in front of a real judge, who again, actually listened to the TRUTH and FACTS of the situation. I was "granted" the additional time with my daughters.

Please read that again....I was GRANTED the time with my daughters. A fit, able, willing, college-educated and employed father, and I was GIVEN the time by a judge who doesn't know me, my kids, has never met them, and likely never will.

Exactly when did judges become God??

My youngest is likewise having severe difficulties this year. A repeat of what ensued three years ago is on the horizon.

Concerning factor (i), "the reasonable preference of the child, if the court considers the child to be of sufficient age to express preference", I have no personal experience as of yet. From what I understand on this one, the child must be at least twelve, and when interviewed by the judge NO ONE else is allowed in chambers. I also have learned that the judge will NOT state the child's actual preference, leaving the door wide open for the family law court system to once again twist these factors whenever and however they please to reach the predetermined conclusion; a non-custodial father who is a visitor in the life of his child and a paycheck only, and a custodial mom who is handed full control of the children, regardless of the consequences.

April 06, 2009

Further commenting on Michigan's "best interests of the child" factors brings us to the seventh, or factor (g), "the mental and physical health of the parties involved". This seems to be pretty much straightforward, providing the actual evidence, or better yet, an admission from one of the parties of ill health, is admitted.

My personal feeling on this one is that the local FOC's investigation of "the relevant facts" here is lacking even the smallest of effort. In my personal case, my ex-wife lost this factor, due to all of her emotional and mental demons. The judge actually believed the admitted factual testimony here, but no thanks to the Friend of the Court investigator, who completely (and deliberately) failed to look at the "relevant facts" beforehand.

All one has to do is to check ANY reputable source-the American Medical Association comes to mind-and look at the real numbers concerning the likelihood of how many moms verses how many dads suffer from emotional, mental, and physical ills. The National Organization of Women (NOW) will love me for this, but look at the facts. Just one special notation-women are several times more likely to suffer from depression than men are. If you have ever lived with a spouse who refuses to deal with her depression issues, you are living in Hell itself. Take my word for it.

Women are simply NOT as healthy, mentally, or emotionally, as men are. Those are the facts, plain and simple.

Straightforward, but yet another of the "factors" that any FOC investigator and any judge will twist to their liking if given the opportunity.

April 01, 2009

Factor (f) of the 13 "best interests of the child" criteria as defined in Michigan law says a lot-"the moral fitness of the parties involved". The problem is, as was true with my personal case, that the judges in many cases do NOT make a decision or ruling on this factor. Many state they "are not qualified" to decide on this factor.

Well, at least the judges seem to have gotten one thing right in all of this-how can someone who willingly and very frequently forgets and ignores THEIR OWN OATH OF OFFICE, swearing to uphold and abide by the Constitution of the United States and that of Michigan as well, be fit to decide on the moral fitness of a litigant appearing before him or her?

EVERY single time a Michigan family law judge makes a ruling other than joint physical custody, he/she is breaking and violating his/her personal oath of office.

Our Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution GUARANTEES parents the right to raise and provide for their children WITHOUT government intereference.

So much for the judges being of moral or ethical correctness themselves!

And, what would the ruling on the "moral fitness" of a parent who runs away on false pretenses, armed with only fabricated allegations and false accusations be, if one was actually made? Why, mom would lose yet another of the "best interests" criteria, if the truth and the facts would be believed.

March 30, 2009

Factor (e) of the "best interests of the child" criteria under Michigan law reads: "the permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial homes or homes."

This factor is one in which dads routinely are given the shaft. In my personal case, this one was figured equally, as I had managed to hang on the marital home, seeing as how the soon-to-be-ex had no claim to it, at all. She hid in a shelter for about six weeks, and then found a subsidised (and filthy) apartment to rent. Yet, that place was deemed a "custodial home". After all, mom can't lose too many of the factors, or she loses the custody battle, and the county and the State of Michigan won't profit from this custody fight.....

Here, though, if a dad has been tossed from the home, what is he to do for a "custodial home". Depending on where he has been able to find a bed or a couch even, the biased judges will hold that against him in a flash.

We also need to look at the wording "as a family unit". This is a no-brainer for the system-remove the dad, one way or another, and the "family unit" is mom and the kids, regardless of how loving, dedicated, and active the father was in the lives of his children.

Heck, even if mom if moving the kids from shelter to apartment to grandma's and then to yet another apartment, that is still a good enough "custodial home" for a Michigan family law judge.

March 27, 2009

Sounds nice, doesn't it? That sentence is from the MCL's-Michigan Compiled Law 722.23, which defines the "best Interests of the child" criteria, and is factor "a". The twelve factors are what Michigan judges currently use, in a child custody case, to decide which parent will be the custodial and which will be the non-custodial.

Why am I writing about this?

This was one of two factors I "lost" to my ex-wife in our child custody fight five years ago, when our county circuit court judge annointed her to be the best, and fit, parent to raise our only two children. More on that yet to come.

A few days ago, my daughters participated in their elementary school's spring musical-the first for my first-grader, complete with butterflies and all. My third-grader, now a veteran at these, took it all in stride.

About 500 folks were in the audience-proud parents, adoring grandparents, siblings, and others. Quite a task for the youngsters to go out in front of, and sing for. First, the first and second graders took the stage, and following their twenty minute performance, the third, fourth and fifth graders had the stage for their 25 minutes. After the performance, I went to the school's gymnasium to collect my two girls, where I gave both of them a big hug, a kiss on the cheek, and told them how proud I was of them.

We then went outside, where their mom was waiting for them. The musical occurred on one of my "parenting time" evenings, the time of which ended during the performance. Not only did she make no effort to go to the gymnasium and collect them, her only comment to them was, "I guess you did all right". No hug. No kiss. No statement to our daughters of how proud she was of them. Their maternal grandmother, who always tags along for everything, said and did absolutely nothing.

My point here is this. Re-read the title to this post-factor "a" of the Michigan law concerning the "best interests of the child" factor. You try to figure out why ANY impartial and non-biased judge would award that factor to a mom who acts this way towards her children. No loving and fit parent tells her children "I guess you did all right" after a school performance, do they?

We''ll get much deeper into the facts of how this all works. FOR THE COURTS, and AGAINST THE FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN.

March 16, 2009

Robert Pedersen was interviewed last week on the Omlette and Finster Show on KLT 98.9 FM regarding the current state of child custody and child support laws in Michigan. Title IV-D federal incentives were discussed in great detail.

The website for A Child's Right received a huge traffic spike after the interview concluded. Equal Parenting advocates should always seek media opportunities to get our message out in public.

March 07, 2009

A Child's Right members are excited to spread awareness of the benefits of Equal Parenting at the upcoming November 7, 2009 Iceman Cometh Challenge Mountain Bike Race. Members will notonly be racing, but they will be spreading equal parenting awareness throughout this event. Special brochures are being made for this event and our mountain bikers will be wearing custom made Equal Parenting Thermal Jerseys.

This race will be rather easy for those cyclists who participated in the 758 mile Equal Parenting Bike Trek. The weather is always unpredictable at this time of year in Michigan. The Iceman Cometh starts in Kalkaska, Michigan and ends 27 miles later in Traverse City, Michigan. Below is a picture of the Iceman Cometh map which cuts through the Pere Marquette State Forest.

If you would like to volunteer and help spread awareness at this event please email Executive Director Darrick Scott-Farnsworth. Support Equal Parenting and already registered for this event? Join us at this event by contacting the email address noted above. Look for updates in October 2009 at Cycling4Children.com

November 19, 2008

Many people have a system for something-they can have one at work, or at home. It likely helps them accomplish some sort of task.

However, bureaucracy also has its systems. Government bureaucracy, and even other bureaucratic types have their systems. Some are merely annoying. Some can be debilitating, some can be dangerous, while others can be devastating.

Allow me to offer a comparison of how two "systems" can cause harm.

I am a University of Michigan Wolverine football fan. This year, their new coach, Rich Rodriquez, has the Wolverines running what is called a "spread offense", which differs from that the team is used to running, and what the athletes were recruited to run.

This year, the Wolverines have a 3-8 record, with one game remaining. The Michigan Wolverines have the best record in the history of NCAA football, but their program is in chaos because of Rodriguez' "system". This season, they have the worst record in their history, and their record streak of 32 straight years with a bowl game birth has been snapped. He could, and should have been coaching a "traditional" offense, so the athletes could have been successful. Not this coach. It was his "system" or nothing-the record does not matter to him. His athletes are demoralized, and play like it. To this type of bureaucrat, the end result means nothing, as long as he is in charge, and everyone is doing things the way he wants, regardless of the consequences.

Of course, until this coach is fired, which will likely come soon, I hope!!

Michigan's bureaucrats have another "system", the family law court system.

What can be more devastating to the state of Michigan than destroying its families and tearing children from their parents? On top of that, Michigan is PAID to do it, by the federal government.

The result here-federal incentives under Social Security Title IV-D, totalling BILLIONS of dollars are paid to each state, to forcibly remove a child from the life of one of his or her parents simply because the parents divorce.

After all, the bureaucrats only care about the system, and those it benefits.

They don't care about the system's victims.

All of the bureaucrats responsible for the continuance of Michigan's family law court system cannot be fired. Sure, you can vote many, or even most of them out of office, but their replacements will do the same things, resulting in the same devastation of our families and the lives of our children.

Changing the laws, and prohibiting the bureaucrats from continuing this is the only way to stop it.

EVERY DAY in Michigan, more children are forcibly removed from one of their parent's lives, and your elected officials only care about the federal dollars that roll in as their reward, and that the system continues to operate as it is.....

Now that the Democrats are running DC and most of Lansing we needto begin to communicate the need for DHS/CAPTA/VAWA/Title IV legislativechange. Looking at what has been proposed during the election we muststrike quickly to get our reform message in their ears. Obama's message of theneed for fathers and families needs to be directed towards legislativechanges that actually encourage the states to keep families intact and bothparents significantly involved with their children.

(1) The most important factor in a child's upbringing is whether thechild is brought up in a loving, healthy, supportive environment.

(2) Children who grow up with two parents are, on average, more likelythan their peers in single-parent homes to finish high school and beeconomically self-sufficient.

(3) Father-child interaction, like mother-child interaction, has beenshown to promote the positive physical, social, emotional, and mentaldevelopment of children.

SEC. 107. STATE ASSESSMENTS OF BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIALSUPPORT OF CHILDREN.

(a) State Assessments and Reports- As a condition of the continuedapproval of a State plan under part D of title IV of the Social SecurityAct (42 U.S.C. 651 et seq.), each State with an approved such plan,acting through the appropriate State agencies, shall assess the Statepolicies with respect to the issues described in subsection (b) andsubmit a report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on theresults of such assessment not later than March 15, 2008.

(b) (5) Identification of any other barriers to healthy family formationor sustainable economic opportunity for custodial and noncustodialparents that are created or exacerbated by Federal or State laws,policies, or procedures, including an examination of the rules ofFederal and State means-tested programs, the operation of the Stateworkforce system, the availability of financial education services, andthe availability of domestic violence services and child supportprocedures to help victims of domestic violence stay safe and obtain thechild support they are owed.

(c) Grants to States for Commissions on State Law Improvements in theBest Interest of Children and Families- The Secretary of Health andHuman Services shall award grants to States to establish or supportcommissions to review the State assessment conducted in accordance withsubsection (a) and to make recommendations on ways to improve State lawin the best interest of children and families.

Make sure that the Obama administration puts the money where their mouths are.

"The federal government spends $99.8 billion dollars every year onprograms - such as child support enforcement and anti-poverty efforts -that support father-absent homes"

October 14, 2008

I had the pleasure of meeting with my first-grade daughter's teacher for about an hour earlier today.

The purpose of this early parent-teacher conference was to discuss some difficulties my first-grade daughter is having in class so far this year. The school's principle was also in attendance. Both of my daughters also listened in to the constructive ideas and informative sharing that took place.

Everyone essential to forming a constructive plan to assist my daughter in improvement early this school year, before the situation continues or worsens, was in attendance, EXCEPT my ex-wife-the mother of both my daughters.

I had addressed the situation with her last week, and she had "agreed" with me that we need to address our concerns jointly, as is our responsibility as parents, even as divorced ones. However, she afterwards to the teacher and principle expressed "her need" for a separate meeting.

Instead of choosing to be an active participant, with both parents and concerned parties in attendance, HER needs came first.

She has not had such a meeting, with anyone at the school. She does not have one scheduled. Her first answer to me, when I expressed my concern with our daughter, and the difficulties this school year to date was "so?" When I expressed my desire for a joint conference to discuss and address our concerns, she agreed with me that this was something we both needed to address, and together.

But, in the end, she did not care to attend this essential conference.

Whenever she does choose to meet with anyone at the school, it will be for a "bash dad" session, as she has done before. She has withheld important information from me concerning our youngest-in whose best interests is this?

As a loving, caring, and ACTIVE father in the lives of my daughters, I find this to be yet another intolerable and unacceptable lack of concern on her part. Yet, SHE was "proclaimed" the custodial parent-the one BEST able to care for our daughters.....Title IV-D dollars-look what you have done for my first-grader.....

She has failed to do a single thing for either of our daughters to warrant receiving a judge's blessing to raise them-in reality, she has done much to show her incapacities, and complete inability to do so properly.

The words "fit, willing, and able" are not just words to me. They show the very clear difference between parents who want to raise their children the best they can, as every child deserves, and those who use their children as a "meal ticket", living off of the child support, and every other government handout they can possibly get from the children they have "custody" of.

Even more astounding-just watch the family law court system "protect" the mother, and sit there, clueless, about what is in "the best interests of the child".

Once again, Michigan legislature, WHY do you REFUSE to pass The Equal Parenting Bill, House Bill 4564, and House Joint Resolution NN, the proposed "Parental Rights Constitutional Amendment", so loving, caring, and fit parents can raise their children? WHY????

My daughters NEED these changes to our state laws-they NEED their father to be allowed to raise them. I am being DENIED the right to do so.

"In the best interests of the child", is how they summarize their decisions. I DON"T THINK SO!!!!

I see, even more now than before, the necessity of telling this to the American public. I cannot help but wonder, how many other kids have a parent like the mother of my children, and how many other non-custodial parents fight for the best education for their kids, WITHOUT the interest, concern, and participation of the other parent????

The findings, published in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour, show that those children whose fathers spent more time with them had a higher IQ and were more socially mobile than those who had received little attention.

October 10, 2008

Never mind the fact that I have spoken with her on several occasions about the subject of EQUAL PARENTING, and pending Michigan legislation that would mandate our family courts to order joint physical custody.

This particular co-worker is a divorced woman herself, and was a custodial mother. I have never heard her admit if or how she may have benefitted from the system. Previously, she had always seemed in agreement to the points I made in our talks.

Somehow, my volunteer work as an advocate and activist for father and parental rights has one female co-worker labeling me as a woman hater.

Actually, this is about the tenth time I have been called a "woman hater", right to my face, at my workplace.

This is a prime example of the gender-bias that DOES exist in America, when the subjects of EQUAL PARENTING or JOINT CUSTODY enter a discussion.

This is a prime example of the ignorance of the American public. A website for non-custodial mothers, the National Association of Non-Custodial Moms, Inc. , states there are about 2.2 MILLION non-custodial mothers in the US. A couple of months ago, I heard a new statistic that stated there were just under FOUR MILLION non-custodial mothers in the US.

Whatever the true number, American women need to acknowledge the facts here, and realize that, just because most of us are men, we are advocating for PARENTAL RIGHTS. There are many women in our activist ranks also, step-mothers, non-custodial moms, and others. Parents still do come in both genders, in spite of how the family courts treat one-half of a divorcing couple with children in this country.

It is far past time that PARENTS are treated like PARENTS, regardless of their gender.

When the truth is told, very few of my female co-workers like to hear anything of EQUAL PARENTING or JOINT CUSTODY.

Ladies, why is this??

And, by the way, my advocacy work has also earned me the "titles" of fanatic, lunatic, and chauvenist at my workplace also, with most of the comments made behind my back, but some made right to my face.

Ladies, what's up with the name calling, when I am working for PARENTS and their children?

Do you not want children raised by BOTH fit, willing, and able parents?

October 06, 2008

"To discriminate further against Ms. Kulstad because of her sexual preference in this day and age is no different than telling a person to go to the back of the bus because of her skin color," Judge Ed McLean wrote.

Why are fathers still being told to get in the back of the bus when it comes to child custody determinations? According to Dr. Stephen Baskerville, Ph.D., author of Taken Into Custody, roughly 80% of sole custody awards are given to mothers nationwide. When will the gender bias in America's family courts end?

More on this story can be found at Jeanne M. Hannah's excellent blog titled, "Updates in Michigan Family Law"

October 04, 2008

Every blog post, guest opinion and letter to the editor written by parental advocates bring the same request: "HELP ME." The request that should be asked is: "I want to become involved in this fight. My family and my children and I have been wronged by Michigan's family law court system. I want this abuse to stop, and I want to help."

EVERYONE is either personally affected by this judicial abuse, or has a relative, friend, neighbor, or co-worker who is. If you do not, you are in a very small minority.

What can you do to become involved in this struggle?

Become ACTIVE and INVOLVED. How?

FIRST- TELL TWO PEOPLE, EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU, YOUR CHILDREN, AND YOUR FAMILY. Tell this to your family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

SECOND-WRITE YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. Start with your state representative, state senator, and the governor. Do NOT just email or call them. WRITE them an actual letter, and KEEP WRITING them, even after you have received any reply. You can then move on to your county commissioner. Do NOT give up after one or two letters. Be PERSISTANT, and DEMAND answers as to why the abuses continue.

THIRD-WRITE YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER, TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS. Tell them the abuses inflicted upon your family, your children, and yourself by our family law court system. Ask them to investigate and report the abuse. Again, BE PERSISTANT!!

FOURTH-WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of your local newspaper. Make public the abuses inflicted upon your family and yourself. Once you have a letter printed, use it as a building block, and continue writing them.

WHAT SHOULD YOU TELL AND WRITE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ABOUT?

1. Michigan's family law court system is inflicting child abuse daily by removing a loving, fit, able, and willing parent from the lives of his or her children.

2. Under the financial rewards and incentives of Social Security Title IV-D, every state receives MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to strip parents from the life of their children. These taxpayer dollars come from the pockets of EVERY taxpayer in the U.S.

3. Your local Friend of the Court is the first step in the cycle of abuse. A FOC Conciliator will recommend which parent is to be custodial, and which will be non-custodial. The facts of the individual case do not matter, and the FOC will choose what, if anything, they truly investigate.

4. False allegations of domestic violence are commonly used by one party to try to gain an advantage in a custody situation. The system encourages this, and often rewards a custodial parent for making such fradulent claims, without any proof or evidence.

5. PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME is real. It is NOT a fable. Children ARE being alienated and torn from a parent by the other, to reap the rewards of child custody, child support, desiring to harm the other parent regardless of the consequences to their child(ren), and an insane need to completely control their child's life, regardless of the other parent's necessary and essential input.

These are just some of the issues you can speak with others and write about. Educate yourself on these topics if you are not already fully informed on them. The truth and the facts are publicly available.

Do NOT continue to sit there, cry, and complain. Do NOT just try to get some relief from your personal case and then stop your activities-the system will continue, and any relief will be short-lived.

Only with CONSISTANT and PERSISTANT action and involvement will the abuses ever be corrected.

YOU must choose-will you continue to sit idly by, and continue to be part of the problem, or will you become an active and involved paticipant in this fight, and strive to be a part of the solution?

The suggestions I listed above are just a part of what you can do and should be doing. I have done all of these, and much beyond.

October 02, 2008

Dave Taylor of Oakland County Speaks of the corruption at the Friend of the Court. He let us know that the Friend of the Court has championed new laws in Michigan that will help create a greater intrusion into the family and larger money stream for them. Learn about Title IV-D incentives Learn about the benefits of shared parenting.

If you think child custody determinations are fair in Michigan you MUST watch this video with Carol Rhodes speaking on the Michigan Friend of the Court.

October 01, 2008

With recent events forcing several of my friends, all fathers and fellow advocates for parental rights, back to court to again attempt to right the wrongs dealt to us by Michigan's family law court system, I am reminded of the last time I was forced there.....

A little over two years ago, my oldest daughter had to repeat Kindergarten. I managed to change my hours at my employer, and filed a motion to increase my time with my daughters.

The initial hearing was in front of the Court Referee, where I was blamed for my daughter failing Kindergarten, because I was "not involved enough".

Try being involved enough while only seeing your children every-other weekend and four hours one day a week.

A Michigan family law court referee actually admonished a loving, caring, fit, and able father for a child failing a grade BECAUSE OF THEIR COURT ORDER limiting my time with my children.

The referee did not grant my motion, so I objected, and got in front of the judge, a COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER.

Yes, I did manage to have the motion granted, despite the furious protests from my ex-wife and her attorney.

Still, I ask, WHY is this necessary?

The Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution PREVENTS and PROHIBITS any state from doing this to any American citizen.

Still, here they are, and they are still doing it. They will do it again TODAY. They will do it again TOMORROW. They will do it again THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, and THE DAY AFTER THAT.

Still, American media continues to cry out against "deadbeat dads", and "angry fathers". They continue to ignore the pleas of thousands of parents, showing our judiciary and bureaucrats the truth and the facts of Michigan's family law court system.

And, again, tomorrow, it will be BACK TO COURT again for another loving, caring, fit and able father, to attempt to right another wrong inflicted upon a family by our family law court system.

Again, people ask WHY?

The bureaucrats and judges just stare back, and dream of all the millions of dollars of federal incentives they will continue to claim under Title IV-D. Our constitutional and fundamental rights? They don't matter!

The Friend of the Court Conciliators will again, TOMORROW, declare more parents as "non-custodial" so they can start the funds rolling in from THAT case too, and it goes on, and on, and on.....

And again, TOMORROW, another father will have to pay out hundreds of dollars for motions, attorneys, court costs, and be admonished by a referee or a judge for not being involved enough.....

And, TODAY, Michigan's bureaucrats still choose to ignore and stall legislation that will again spell out the rights that we parents SHOULD be allowed to enjoy.

The Equal Parenting Bill, House Bill 4564, and House Joint Resolution NN, the "Parental Rights" Constitutional Amendment both sit in limbo......

Our bureaucrats have NO intention of passing these issues.

But, they will happily blame any non-custodial parent for "not being involved enough" with their children.

Dads and Moms of Michigan, the Family Rights Coalition, A Child’s Right, Children Need Both Parents, Fathers for Equal Rights, Fathers-4-Justice and Children’s Rights Council invite you to join us in defense of the traditional American family at this historic rally at our State Capitol during Equal Parents Week.

Over 40% of Michigan’s population is being micro-managed by the family court system with disastrous consequences to our children, families and the state economy. Help transform Michigan from a wasteland of broken families into a promised land of healthy families and community renewal. House Bill 4564, a bill to ensure equal parental responsibility, will result in a presumption of joint custody for fit parents and equal access for children to both their mother and father. Another hearing on this bill is expected this fall if enough public desire is expressed. 2008-House Joint Resolution NN Fundamental Parental Rights constitutional amendment has been supported by 80 representatives but has not had a hearing. It too will be supported and discussed at the rally and needs your attention. Your attendance at this rally will send a strong message in support of HB 4564 and HJR-NN will serve as a demonstration of our will to be equal and have parental rights to our children.

The Equal Parents Week Rally has been organized to bring to the attention of our legislature, our executive branch, our judiciary and the general public that Equal Parental rights are a civil rights issue whose time has come. America’s success was built on strong family bonds and the recognition that both a mother and a father are essential to raising healthy, moral and well adjusted children. Rally speakers will include nationally-known family advocates, legislators, VIPs, community leaders and parents.

• Contact your legislator to show your support for HB4564 and HJR-NN. Primary signs and literature will be provided by the rally organizers. • Print a map, car pool and plan to arrive before 11:00 am for assembly or 10:00 am for setup if you are bring. • Bring change for meter parking or consult the maps for the location of a public parking structure. • Dress for the weather with walking shoes and bring a water bottle. • Bring personal signs, pictures, and regalia.

Need people to use the Lansing area white and yellow pages and invite people to show up. Also let us know if you know any band who would like to perform some tunes for free. Need you to print out or have printed some parental rights and equal parenting handouts to give out. Does anyone have tables they want to setup for material?

September 19, 2008

However, the second sentence in Section 1 is of relevance to this post: "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws".

Please read that sentence again.

The Fourteenth Amendment was drafted and ratified a long time ago, and was done for very specific reasons.

Maybe all of these judicial bureaucrats, elected and otherwise, have forgotten the Oath of Office that they all swore to uphold. At least, all of them were SUPPOSED to sign and swear to an oath supporting the Constitution of The United States, and that of the state in which they are taking office or appointment.

Why, then, are the 14th Amendment rights of EVERY parent and EVERY child in nearly EVERY child custody hearing in Michigan violated and ignored?

Even the U.S. Supreme Court, in the case of Troxel vs. Granville (2000), has upheld the liberty interests of parents. Justice O'Connor stated, in The Court's opinion, "the liberty interest at issue...the interest of parents in the care, custody, and control of their children is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental interests recognized by this Court", and "it cannot now be doubted that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects the fundamental right of parents to make decisions concerning the care, custody, and control of their children."

Family law judges have sworn to uphold the Constitution of this country.

THEY HAVE FAILED.

Citizens of The United States of America, are you going to allow this to continue, or are YOU going to take action, NOW?

There will be a lengthy Q and A session and also a book signing. Dr. Stephen Baskerville's book, Taken Into Custody, is a MUST READ and a very shocking review of child custody determinations and the family court system.

September 13, 2008

HOWEVER, according to Michigan's family law court system and American media, "Angry Fathers" are those who never bothered taking care of their children when they were married, don't care about their kids now, don't pay their child support, don't deserve to have custody of their kids now, and are those who contest the system for taking away their kids.

Well, they got the last one right, anyway.

Yes. Absolutely. ANGRY FATHERS do indeed exist.

In fact, I am one of them.

I am angry with the Michigan family law court system, and its entourage of others who presume to think they know what is best for my two daughters, and those who make their living off of destroying our families.

I have been termed an ANGRY FATHER, because:

1: I know that I am a loving, capable, and fit parent, who wants to raise my children in the proper manner, as they deserve. I demand to do so, and be left alone by our government so I can.

2: I contest, and fight, the family law court system because they have committed child abuse-on my daughters, and thousands of other sons and daughters in Michigan.

3: The system has violated our guaranteed, fundamental rights, under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The 14th. PROHIBITS a state from doing what they do hundreds of times every day-remove a child from the life and home of a loving, caring, and fit parent. I personally resent this.

4: My personal income, the very source I need to support my children as well as myself is forcibly taken from me on a weekly basis. This paid ransom brings in federal dollars, from Title IV-D, to reward Michigan for removing my daughters from the only safe, stable and secure home they will know as children. These federal dollars are taken from EVERYONE'S paycheck, as social security withholdings. YES-including YOURS!!!

5: I have been reduced to a "visitor" in the lives of my daughters.

6: EVERYONE seems to have a vested interest in deciding when I see my children, how long I see them, if I even see them at all, and even used to determine how I saw them. My daughters and I had to endure "supervised parenting time" for six weeks after the custody fight, in which I had to PAY to see my daughters for a one-hour period.

7: We have a government that routinely turns its head away from us, closes its ears, refuses to listen, refuses to see what is happening, and gives us occasional "lip service" in an attempt to pacify us, withhout any real desire or intent to change the system.

And let's not forget the ones that REALLY PISS OFF THE SYSTEM:

8: I write letters to newspapers, educating the people of Michigan as to the realities of the Michigan family law court system.

9: I take part in rallies, meets, and other events. Some are demonstrations. Some are protests. Others are educational in nature.

10: I write my county commissioners, state elected officials, and federal elected officials, in complaint of what is happening.

11: Finally, I take whatever further action that I, solo, or in agreement with others, determine will be of benefit to the Equal Parenting cause/movement.

But, let's not forget the biggest reasons why some of us are called ANGRY FATHERS. It is because we refuse to roll over, refuse to accept what the FOC and judges do, fight handing our income over to bureaucrats as ransom and extortion money, and we actually and actively stand up for ourselves, our rights as parents, and for our children.

The system does NOT like this.

For those of you who are truly an ANGRY FATHER, in the fight such as myself, I applaud you.

In my humble opinion, if everything that has happened to you and your children since the begginning of your divorce/custody case does NOT make you angry, there is something seriously wrong with you.

September 09, 2008

Divorced, divorcing, unmarried, or separated parents, YOU have an important choice to make!

You can choose to believe the anti-family and anti-father biased rhetoric from Michigan's Friend of the Court and the rest of the family law court system with its judges, attorneys, custody evaluators, psychologists and social workers...

OR...

You can choose to educate yourself as to the truth, facts, and realities of HOW and WHY there MUST be a "non-custodial" parent chosen by the FOC and courts, AND why a child's time with a non-custodial is limited, normally to every-other weekend and a couple of hours one night a week.

Do you know that Michigan, and every other state too, is REWARDED for removing a FIT, WILLING and ABLE parent from the lives of his or her children?

Perhaps you thought your social security taxes went only to retirement and disability funds....

Perhaps you thought that the mother gets physical custody in about 85% of divorce/custody matters in Michigan because of gender bias, or perhaps you really believe what "the system" and todays media says about American fathers.

Perhaps you can get some answers from your attorney, but usually all he or she does is take thousands of your dollars, and you and your children still lose.

You can, and should, contact the parental and family rights organizations listed below. Neither can provide attorneys, or legal advice.

What they can provide, though, is essential information, for YOU to become enlightened and educated as to the truth, facts, and realities of what has, and is, happening to you and your children, and WHY!

September 03, 2008

Some kids are yelling "yes". Others are crying "no!!". Parents are relieved, with a "finally".

I have some words of wisdom for all of you parents, especially for the non-custodial ones amongst us.

Please, please, please, make sure that all the paperwork for all of your children is properly filled out, and returned directly to the school office as soon as possible. The contact information, with the correct phone numbers, complete with emergency numbers, is essential. Also of great importance is WHO can pickup your children from school, and if your child will be picked up, or will ride a bus home. Release forms, allowing your child to travel in-district to events, plays, field trips, and the like are also included in the packages this time of year.

For all of you non-custodial parents, double-check the following, PLEASE!!:

1. That the PROPER contact information is on the form for your child(ren), including that for BOTH you and the custodial parent, if you share joint legal custody, including name, relationship, home number, and work number.

2. That only the PROPER people to pick up your child(ren) from school are on the "approved" list.

3. Please check to make sure that BOTH of you sign and date the release forms, including any "medical release" or "medication at school" forms.

4. Double-check EVERYTHING-every single form, if they have been filled out by the custodial parent, just to be absolutely sure.

Why double check everything?

From a voice of experience-when my first born daughter was enrolled for kindergarten four years ago, our public school district did NOT even know she had a father. My ex- had DELIBERATELY left off ANY and ALL contact information for me, and we share joint legal custody. It took over two months of conversations with the school administrators, and several PROMISES as to what was going to happen if they did not rectify the situation IMMEDIATELY. Also, never make any threats whatsoever. Make true, sincere, promises of what actions you WILL take to correct the "oversights" if they happen, AND THEY WILL. School administrators tend to listen when they see a determined, honest, and sincere parent in front of them. When my youngest daughter was enrolled in school two years ago there were no such problems.

Also, make sure that you are properly informed of picture days, so you can order your own, and not rely on the other parent. Make sure you are on the school's mailing list, for monthly newsletters and the like. Make absolutely certain that you are notified of ALL parent-teacher conference dates, and set an appointment for them! I had to "inconvenience" them the first year, insisting that I also meet with my daughter's teacher. They very quickly got used to this involved father, and I now have a good relationship with the school principle and the teachers.

If you possibly can, VOLUNTEER at your child's school. Many options are available for this, and few fathers take advantage of them. Most PTO's and other school organizations are largely made up of women-and the kids are missing out on the "male perspective" on things. Besides, volunteering to read to a class, perhaps put on a special presentation based upon your career or employment, or go as a chaperone on a field trip is NOT gender-exclusive. And, yes, they have special forms for this too, to make sure that only respectfull, well-meaning, and SAFE individuals can get anywhere near YOUR children.

Regardless of the relationship with your ex-spouse, this is your child(ren)'s education. Put aside the differences, and work together, to provide your child a productive, happy, safe, and educational school year experience!

By the way, non-custodial parent, you SHARE your child(ren) pick-up responsibilities with the other parent, RIGHT? If not, pick that as an essential goal, work for it, and make it happen!

Do NOT make the mistake of expecting the courts or your local FOC office to enforce "joint legal custody" guidelines. They won't. My advice-deal directly with the school first, if you encounter any problems. Show them you are sincere, and mean business. Earn their respect, if you can.

After all, children deserve the right to the love, care, guidance, EDUCATION, and nurturing of BOTH fit, willing, and able parents. Denying a child any of this is child abuse!

September 01, 2008

Governor Sarah Palin revived John McCain's campaign from the dead. This will without a doubt make the race very competitive in November. Governor Palin has a positive track record in reducing government intrusion into familes. The National Organization for Women (NOW) ironically does not support Gov Palin. No surprise there! General common sense would lead you to think that if NOW doesn't like her then she must be great for us dads!

Placing the brilliant VP pick by McCain aside. Who is best for fathers? McCain or Obama?

In our opinion neither are ideal and both seem to be clueless as to the plight of today's fathers. However, Obama may talk alot about fathers but he has to be the worst candidate of the two. Obama's Responsible Fatherhood Act fails to recognize that fit and willing fathers are removed from their children's lives for the states to maximize Title IV-D funds.

“The federal incentives drive the system. The more divorces, and the higher the child-support guidelines are set and enforced (no matter how unreasonable), the more money the state bureaucracy collects from the feds. Follow the money. The less time that non-custodial parents (usually fathers) are permitted to be with their children, the more child support they must pay into the state fund, and the higher the federal bonus to the states for collecting the money. " - Phyllis Schlafly

Obama's Responsible Fatherhood Act mentions child support 65 times and fails to mention parenting time, custody, visitation time or access denial. Not only is this hostile to fathers but it also fails children by ignoring the numerous benefits of shared parenting for children. Dads are more than paychecks! Obama's Responsible Fatherhood Act is not only bad for fathers and children, but it will also significantly increase the size of government and the intrusion into our families.

August 26, 2008

With a sense of sarcasm Brian Downs, a Michigan Judicial Candidate, does an excellent job explaining to an audience why Michigan needs Equal Parenting. You will be amazed when you see how dramatically child custody determinations vary by county. Michigan children deserve better!Benefits of equal parenting for children.

August 19, 2008

In my teen years, I attended a few concerts. Heavy metal was once my preferred genre of music. The Who was a favored band. Armed with concert tickets- general admission, scheduled for December 1979 at the Silver Dome, Pontiac, MI with up to 100,000 people expected to attend, we were unexpectedly jolted with the “Cincinnati Tragedy” as that mass of people riotously entered the arena crushing to death eleven other concert goers.

This event still ranks as the number one tragedy of its kind. It also signifies our thesis today- The Law of the Jungle! The Law of the Jungle is a colloquialism defining a belief system “to kill or to be killed” or some sub-form thereof, “every man for himself,” “no rules apply,” etc.

The inferences of the Jungle are plain to see. No law, no life, no security, great danger, severe consequences and a systemic destruction from within. No Jungle society could ever prosper or maintain itself operating under this lawless premise. Both swift and immediate its end would be!

Juxtaposed against the Law of the Jungle is The Rule of Law. The Rule of Law is the arbiter of a free society, safe from the unfettered license of the Jungle, which allows for the harm of one’s neighbor. Rather, governed both from within and from an external force, the Rule of Law remains objective and thus immune from the potential of any one entity’s Jungle actions or beliefs. As Thomas Payne in Common Sense rightly opined,

“Where . . . is the King of America? I’ll tell you Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havock (sic) of mankind like the Royal [Brute] of Britain. . . . Let a day be solemnly set apart for proclaiming the charter; let it be brought forth and placed on the divine law, the word of God; let a crown be placed thereon, that so far as we approve of monarchy, that in America THE LAW IS KING. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries, the law ought to be King . . . But . . . let the crown at the conclusion of the ceremony be demolished, and scattered among the people whose right it is.”

The foundation of our Independence from England started and ended with this one question who is the sovereign? Shall it be the KIng? Or, shall it be the Rule of Law? Payne rightly synthesized implicitly, that it is both. But note, the King be not of England. Rather, the King is God and His Rule of Law is Scripture. The Rule of Law has and always shall remain permeated throughout creation. Our Country’s laws merely pattern themselves after Scripture.

That Jungle forces presently prevail today, most especially in Family Court, most prominently in Oakland County, is merely symptomatic of the blight on the bench. Not, a chink in the impenetrable amour of the Law. The Law and its King are both immutable. Thus, we need only believe as such! Operate as such! And, Jungle Rule shall desist!

Most apropos is the recent removal of Lady Justia’s Scales of Justice from the Oakland County Courthouse! Re-establishing the Rule of Law, accomplishing both in actuality and symbolically the return of the Scales of Justice shall be easily accomplished this November at the ballot box! Until such time, shall we continue to believe that Jungle Rule applies?

August 17, 2008

Those of us who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s remember Jim McKay’s famous lead in to ABC’s Wide World of Sports- “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,” as we watched the skier crashing over the top of the ramp landing awkwardly and surely breaking his leg. Less known, but of no less courage, Bill Knoellner had his own moment of agony this past week.

Bill is one of four men traveling by bike 768 miles from Lansing, MI to Washington DC. While the skier likely went to the hospital and was certainly out of the competition, Bill, undaunted, made his mandatory visit to the emergency room, but was back on the road before day’s end! What seeming insanity provoked this man to such levels of achievement? Children! Children? Yes, children!Bill, along with Brian Downs, Rob MacKenzie and Bill Foster endured 768 miles of dangerous and mountainous terrain by bike to draw attention to one of the greatest travesties known to modern mankind. The tragedy is the state run divorce industry, also known as child kidnapping.

Children, at an alarming rate, nearly 100%, are “legally kidnapped” from one of their parents. This is due to the states’ pecuniary interest in Title IV-D Block Grant Funds. Children sold at auction for the Family Divorce Court’s filthy lucre, while the states kidnap these children, they then place the defrocked parent, which is usually dad, into involuntary servitude!

Dads across America have aligned to take on the states in a toe-to-toe battle, too daunting a task to evenly compare to the Biblical narrative of David v. Goliath. David, at least, had a weapon, albeit, a slingshot. Dads have not the legal training, have no money and are often times found fighting from a jail cell. Undaunted, they continue to flail away at the enemy- The State Courts!

As we descend on Washington DC August 15 and 16, be sure to thank Bill and the others for their heroism and do support our efforts to re-claim our children, who are our greatest love, for which we know no limits of bravery!

August 12, 2008

Will men ever wake up? Think things are great for men and it is "a man's world"? If you do perhaps you crawled out of a cabin in the early 1900's. True Equality created this incredible video and let me tell you it is a MUST SEE! I learned alot from it and wanted to share it with our readers. Please tell others about this post and send them the link.

August 08, 2008

**From a NEW author writing for DaddyBlogger.com!!** "A Father of Two" Be sure to tell us what you think and comment below - requires NO account.

August has been proclaimed as "Child Support Awareness Month" in Michigan and throughout the United States.

Michigan's Family Law Court System would have you continue to support the outdated, biased, and stereotyped notion that a divorced, non-custodial parent (about 85% of the time the father), is good for nothing other than paying child support dollars into the system.

This is done to maximise the federal incentive dollars awarded to the states under Title IV-D of the Social Security System, which rewards every state for forcibly removing a fit, willing, and able parent from the life of his or her children.

"Supporting" your child does not come down to a divorced parent having a large part of their paycheck taken into this system to justify financial rewards.

As a father of two, the following is my take on what "child support" really is, from A to Z. I hope you take the following to heart. These are just some of what I do, as a divorced, non-custodial father, to "support" my children.

A. Show AFFECTION for your children. Give them an ALLOWANCE for doing their chores.

B. Give them a proper BREAKFAST to start the day with. Make BATH time a fun, and clean experience.

C. CHALLENGE your children to rise to new heights. Increase their CONFIDENCE.

D. Appropriately and timely DISCIPLINE your children.

E. Set the proper EXAMPLE for them to learn by. Take them on ERRANDS with you.

F. Have FUN with your children.

G. GIGGLE and laugh with your kids. "GOOD JOB"-Praise them for good effort.

H. HUG your youngsters. Provide them a proper and safe HOME.

I. Embrace their INDEPENDENCE as they grow, but always be ready to wrap them in your arms.

August 07, 2008

Exciting news for those who follow the Equal Parenting Bike Trek! It is official - a professionaly designed logo for the Equal Parenting Bike Trek is already in the process and near completion. The new logo will be revealed early September 2008!

Please attend the Parental and Civil Rights event of the year - DC Festival 2008

August 03, 2008

"Mothers and fathers will have 50-50 rights to their children in a divorce beginning Oct. 1." You can review more information about this in an article written by Jenny Andreasson of The Voice. Ms. Andreasson should have titled the article "Victory for Children" because that is who really wins in all of this.

We are told during election time that Michigan Democrats serve the needs of the common person, however in this case it appears they ignore their constituents while submitting the the demands of the Family Law Section of the Michigan Bar. So - rich attorneys and Michigan Democrats are delaying the benefits Equal Parenting brings to children, parents and society. CONSIDER THIS WHEN YOU VOTE IN NOVEMBER!

As a boy growing up in the 70’s, my father taught me a valuable lesson towards understanding, often times, the seemingly peculiar chain of events of an incident. He said,“Just follow the money trail. Then you’ll know both why and what has and will happen.” Sage words of wisdom from the “Ole man!” These words were not any more truthful then, than they are now!

As I progressed thru my divorce proceedings, ultimately believing the judicial system would soon discover the truth about myself- contrary to how my Ex portrayed me; the truth of my ability to raise my kids- contrary to how my Ex portrayed me; and, the truth of the need for my four young children to have both parents equally involved in their lives, I became disillusioned, contrary to my formerly held belief, over the continuous Orders rendered by the Court! First in its sole custody award to my Ex. Then, its outrageous child and spousal support awards- triple the state’s mandated formula. Finally, as a death knell, an order of visitation, with my kids, for only four days per month! There were no summer vacations, only six half days of holidays and not any time on their birthdays. I was devastated. I couldn’t believe it! I fought back, only to lose again, and again.

After my third stint in the county jail, for allegedly being in Contempt for support arrearages; I guess over 80% garnishment of my check was not enough; I began to research this obvious injustice from my father’s old adage- “follow the money trail.” I soon discovered my Court’s pecuniary interest in: Making me a non-custodial parent; Ordering support triple the state’s formula; Refusing to reduce my support despite proof of my wage; Illegally editing the Official Court Record; Repeatedly incarcerating me for alleged contempt; Refusing to provide me with a Court appointed attorney as an indigent; And, Worst of all, taking my kids away from me by suspending my parenting time!

The Court had developed a racket, a term commonly applied to syndicated crime families. The law had become the mob! Back in 1995, the Federal Legislature re-worded its laws for Welfare, Food Stamps, etc. The old wording was “a mother with child(ren) who has an absent father,” to the new wording, “non-custodial parent.” The seemingly innocuous re-wording was intended to defray the huge expenses the Feds were paying out to states in Food Stamps, Welfare, etc by incentivizing states to begin collecting child support from the absent father, now called the non-custodial parent. These, seemingly were the proper things to do. Why should children be allocated tax dollars for their care instead of parents paying to care for their own children? Ah, but we missed that third variable didn’t we? “The Federal Government wanted to incentivize the states.”

The states’ incentive is called Federal Title IV Block Grant Funding. The states receive funding from the Federal Government at a 2:1 match. (There are actually additional incentives for states beyond this figure tied to their performances) These block grants go straight to the County Court. Ah ha! My father was right! “Follow the money trail.” Now the injustices made sense. Now the kidnapping of my children made sense! Now the senseless incarcerations made sense. Now the erasing of Court documents made sense. Now the falsely claimed, irrationally applied, “Best Interest of the Children” made sense! Now the state’s hypocrisy made sense!

The next time you wander into a Family Court in MI and you hear a non-custodial parent attacking the court for its pecuniary interest, remember what my “ole man” said, “follow the money trail!” Sage advice for those of us who have children!

June 29, 2008

[W]hy then do parents who have NOT abandoned their child(ren) accept being classified as “non-custodial”??? Doesn’t accepting the label of “non-custodial” further the idea that legal positivism will be tolerated rather than attacked ferociously as well?

I agree with your implications. Legal Positivism is the denial of morality in law. While it might be argued not every law has moral implications (although I would present a different thesis), the legal positivist would assert no law has any moral implication. The law and morality are separately defined circles that never overlap. Our defense against legal positivism is founded in our basic assumptions. Or, as I am want of saying, our belief system!

That we the people, ever claim to have any rights must necessarily be derivative from an Authority. That we insist, that we have unalienable rights inherent within our beings, necessarily requires that those rights come both from said Authority and are also embodied within that said Authority, not the law. Otherwise, we begin down the slippery slope of relativism- non-absolutes. Thus, emerging with the reigning power self-granting its own authority- by law, according to its own agenda- sovereign’s will, to the degradation of the masses' once assumed unalienable rights, now absent Authority. The telos- The ultimate result, leads to totalitarianism!

One cannot insist he/ she has unalienable rights without granting that said unalienable rights are both embodied within and derivative from God! Once, we allowed the government to convince us that God was not allowed in the schools, thirty plus years ago, we began down the slippery road of relativism; Utilizing the replacement theology of existentialism; interpreting with the hermeneutic of modernism (and now post-modernism) resulting in the employed methodology of legal positivism to not only law, but also life. Absent of God, we have become absent of morality.

While woman for several decades have been moving their collective agendas through the legislatures and the courts, we men, more broadly IV-D and IV-E non-custodial victims, have nobody but ourselves to blame! We stood passive far too long ago, discharging our duty in the belief that- unalienable rights have no requisite in corresponding duties! Simple contract law asserts that "no right exists without a corresponding duty!" While assigning our duty to our elected officials we also, ignorantly, discharged our right to control government.

It is no wonder, within our ranks, that we see the evidences of our discharged duty. On the one hand, we have tyranny, ranging from ranting to, in some cases, full fledge gun assaults. On the other hand, we have tyranny's logical antithesis- apathy! Such has gathered us to this day!

“The fatuous path of the amoral person is the silent anesthesia of doom!”

June 25, 2008

We are proud of the efforts of Lary Holland and numerous other organizations sending a message to the ACFC that this event will continue! We applaud this courageous effortto make sure that the voices of those concerned over the right to parent and excessive government intrusion will not go unheard.

If you are an individual or organization we ask that you send a letter of support to Lary Holland and the DC Festival 2008 Team at laryholland@sbcglobal.net. A growing number of organizations have already signed on in support of this important effort! Make your support known now by sending your letter of support.

May 20, 2008

Beyond Incredible! Equal Parenting Cyclist, Co-founder of A Child's Right, DaddyBlogger and Detroit News featured fatherhood blogger Robert Pedersen made the FRONT PAGE of the Detroit News. This front page story with color photo was done by reporter Kim Kozlowski of the Detroit News. This is Michigan's largest newspaper in the state of Michigan with overlapping coverage in Indiana and Ohio. Circulation total is well over 300,000!

The article online also reached such popular demand that Detroit News placed in on their homepage and added additional online resources to the story. They also linked to Robert Pedersen's blog with the Detroit News - he is one of their featured fatherhood bloggers.

The article by reporter Kim Kozlowski is still, after 24 hours in their most popular section on the homepage of the Detroit News. With this success of this article Detroit News also conducted an online survey which is overwhelmingly in favor of shared parenting.

Today Robert Pedersen was also on the Mitch Albom Show which is nationally syndicated and has a massive audience in the state of Michigan. Not only does Mitch have a popular radio show, but he is also author of many books such as Tuesdays with Morrie and is a frequent guest on shows like Oprah and more.

Prior to the Mitch Albom show Robert interviewed on the Dave Jaconette Show out of Kalamazoo. Robert seemed very impressed with Jaconette's interviewing style. We are hoping to get recordings of the interviews.

This documentary is truly shocking and will put you through an emotional rollercoaster. According to the film’s website, “Support? explores the fundamental flaws in America’s Family Courts regarding the Divorce and Child Support System. The film explores the problems through over 38 interviews with both custodial and non-custodial parents and the attorneys, judges and county employees on both sides of the paradigm.”

The four trailers will show you the high quality of this film. We will most certainly keep our readers informed of the upcoming release in Michigan as soon as I receive a date.If you live near the showing in California be sure to purchase tickets now!

May 16, 2008

A very interesting process. An Associated Press (AP) Photographer took a couple hundred pictures of Robert Pedersen training for the 758 mile Equal Parenting Bike Trek from Lansing MI to Washington D.C. This happened very early in the morning today. We were told that other newspapers and media organizations can buy these photos from AP to utilize in their stories. We did confirm that some of these pictures will be used by THE largest newspaper in the state of Michigan - their total circulation is over 300,000!!! We will let you know when this will be published. Stay tuned!